Overlapping tab index



1967 L. s. SNELGROVE OVERLAPPING TAB INDEX Filed Feb. 18, 1966 UnitedStates Patent 3,348,325 OVERLAPPLNG TAB INDEX Lawrence S. Snelgrove, 7Woodhaven Heights, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Filed Feb. 18, 1966, Ser.No. 528,468 Claims. ((11. 40104) This invention relates to index padsfor storing useful information, which generally comprise a plurality ofresilient leaves, along one edge of which are overlapping index tabs(progressively overlapping as in roofing shingles) which permit theindex pad to be opened quickly at a desired leaf.

Hitherto, it has been found that in index pads of the above kind,especially those with an index tab on each leaf, the tabs often becomecurled, creased and even torn because of the difficulty of separatingthe close-lying tabs. The constant worrying of the tabs not only causesphysical damage, but also results in unsightly finger marks and generaldiscolouration.

The object of this invention is to provide an index pad in which thetabs may be quickly and easily separated.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanyin g drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an index pad on which this invention maybe practised;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the pad of FIG. 1 showing theleaves raised up to reveal the base of the P FIG. 3 is a sideperspective view of the pad of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an index pad, the elements of which arevertically separated, showing a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a stiif, planar, rectangular base supports a pad 12of resilient leaves 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 (numbering upwardly from thebase 10). The leaves may be cardboard, plastic, etc. For clarity ofillustration, a slight space has been left between each pair of leaves,although in reality, the leaves lie in fiat contact with one another.The leaves 13-17 are hingeably connected along the edge 20 in fixedrelationship to each other and to the base 10 by virtue of two posts 22,extending upwardly from the base 10, which are received in apertures 24in the leaves 13-17.

The leaves 1317 may also be connected by means of glue, staples, etc.Along an edge 26 the leaves 13-17 have tabs A, B, C, D and E whichprotrude outwardly of the edge 26, and which overlie one another. Eachtab projects beyond the next overlying tab to expose a portion of itsupper face, and the exposed portions are adapted to receive indicia, forexample the letters of the alphabet, numerals, etc.

Because the tabs A-E lie in flat contact with one an- Other, they arenot easily separable one from the other, and constant use often resultsin damage to the tabs as shown by the creasing at 28 of tab B of leaf14.

To permit easier separation of the tabs, a strip 30 of compressiblematerial, for example sponge or foam rubber, is glued or otherwisefastened to the base 10 as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the strip 30 ispositioned with its outside edge 32 approximately under the edge 26 ofthe pad 12 so that the tabs A-E overhang the strip 30.

Any given tab may be separated from the next outwardly adjacent tab bythe application of downward digital pressure on the exposed uppersurface of a tab. As shown in FIG. 3 pressure by a finger 34 on the tabC separates the tab C from the tab D so that the fingernail of thefinger 34 may be slid underneath the tab D. Because the strip 30 iscompressible, it deforms under the pressure of the depressed tab suchthat the depressed tab and those beneath it are not subject to the kindof bending and creasing forces which would be encountered if the strip30 were stiff and non-compressible.

The strip 30 may also be located directly beneath the tabs A-E withoutdestroying its separating function, and also may be of a different widthfrom that shown in FIG. 2. For example, the strip may have the samewidth as the pad 12, so as to completely underlie the pad 12.

Preferably, the strip 30 shown in FIG. 2 does not extend as far as theedge 20 of the pad 12, since the strip 30 is necessary only in theregion of the tabs A-E.

In FIG. 4 is shown a further embodiment of the invention the pad 12being vertically separated from the base 10 to show the position of thecompressible strip 36. The tabs A-E are located on the edge 38 of thepad 12 opposite the edge 20.at which the leaves 13-17 are hingeablyconnected. The strip 36 of compressible material in this embodiment isplaced directly beneath the tabs A-E although the strip 36 could also bepositioned inwardly of the tabs A-E.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An index device for storing information comprising a base supportingabove it a pad of resilient leaves having aligned edges, the leavesbeing hingedly connected to each other and to the base along one edge ofthe pad, at least some of the leaves having overlapping tabs protrudingoutwardly from another edge of the pad, said tabs overlying one anotherand some tabs projecting beyond the next overlying tab to expose aportion of their upper faces, said exposed portions being adapted toreceive indicia thereon, a strip of compressible material fixed betweenthe base and the pad 50 as to support the tabs in spaced relatlonship tothe base, the strip of compressible material being deformable by theapplication of downward digital pressure on the exposed upper surface ofa tab, so that the tab may be separated from its next overlying tab.

2. An index device as claimed in claim 1 in which the pad isrectangular, the edge of the pad from which the tabs protrude beingadjacent the edge at which the leaves are hingeably connected.

3. An index device as claimed in claim 1 in which the pad isrectangular, the edge of the pad from which the tabs protrude beingopposite the edge at which the leaves are hingeably connected.

4. An index device as claimed in claim 1 in which the strip ofcompressible material extends beneath the pad parallel to and adjacentthe edge from which the tabs protrude.

5. An index device as claimed in claim 1 in which the strip ofcompressible material underlies the tabs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 738,599 8/1903 Best 283-362,799,955 7/1954 Neilsen 40104 2,274,715 8/1966 Janssen 40-102 2,289,33512/1966 Neilsen 40-104 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. W. I.CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN INDEX DEVICE FOR STORING INFORMATION COMPRISING A BASE SUPPORTINGABOVE IT A PAD OF RESILIENT LEAVES HAVING ALIGNED EDGES, THE LEAVESBEING HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE BASE ALONG ONE EDGE OFTHE PAD, AT LEAST SOME OF THE LEAVES HAVING OVERLAPPING TABS PROTRUDINGOUTWARDLY FROM ANOTHER EDGE OF THE PAD, SAID TABS OVERLYING ONE ANOTHERAND SOME TABS PROJECTING BEYOND THE NEXT OVERLYING TAB TO EXPOSE APORTION OF THEIR UPPER FACES, SAID EXPOSED PORTIONS BEING ADAPTED TORECEIVE INDICIA THEREON, A STRIP OF COMPRESSIBLE MATERIAL FIXED BETWEENTHE BASE AND THE PAD SO AS TO SUPPORT THE TABS IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TOTHE BASE, THE STRIP OF COMPRESSIBLE MATERIAL BEING DEFORMABLE BY THEAPPLICATION OF DOWNWARD DIGITAL PRESSURE ON THE EXPOSED UPPER SURFACE OFA TAB, SO THAT THE TAB MAY BE SEPARATED FROM ITS NEXT OVERLYING TAB.